Improvement in portable percussion-torches for lighting gas



w. w.-B AT :HELDER.

PORTABLE PERCUSSION TORH FOR LIGHTING GAS. No. 192,964. I Patented J"u1y10,`1877 I l Ewen/r. M l y v n K 711mg,

ILPERS, PHOTD-LITHQGRAPHFR WASHINGYON. D. C.

WILLIAM w. BACroHnLDnIt, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PORTABLE PERCUSSION-TORCHES FOR LIGHTING GAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,96, dated July 10, 1877 application filed July 3, 1877.

successively ignite a series of percussion-pellets arranged upon a-tape in the same manner as in the ordinary percussion-primers; and to this end it consists of a metallic tube of suitable length, provided at itsupper end with a device for withdrawing a tape or primer containing a series of explosive pellets from the magazine, feeding said tape and ignitingpellets thereon, and at its lower end with a i magazine for holding the primer, a lever for operating the feeding and igniting mechanism, (which is eected through the medium of a wire extending up through the body of the tube,) and a handle, by means of which the instrument may be held by the operator, all as more fully hereinafter specied.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a partial section and elevation of my improved torch; Fig. 2, a sectional view of the feeding and ignitng devices Fig. 3, a similar sectional view of the feeding and ignitin g devices, with the outer casing removed, showing the hammer just in position to strike; Fig. 4, a rear view of the spring which carries the hammer; Fig. 5, a detached view ofthe spring carrying the hammer and the tumbler for operating the same 5 Fig. 6, a detached view of the tubular section, which. rides on the tubularextension of the torch-tube; and Fig. 7, a bottom view ofthe bell attached to the outer casing of the tubular extension.

In the drawings, the letter Arepresentsa tube of metal or other suitable material, of convenf ient length, which is preferably curved at the upper end to bring the igniting mechanism, to be hereinafter described, into convenient position over the gas-burners, although the said curved construction is not absolutely essential. Said tube is divided on its interiorv into two longitudinal compartments by means of a longitudinal partition, B, which extends from a point at or near one end to a point at or near the other end of said tube. At the upper end ot' the tube, either attached to the same or formed thereon, is an enlarged tubular extension, C, provided with slots dd on opposite sides, extending from near its base to itsextremity, said extension having a shoulder, D, at its base, upon which sets one end base, is a spring, H, extending to the eXtrem- 4 ity thereof, the end of said spring' being bent forward, so as to form a hammer, h, which bears against an anvil, c, formed by a projecting lip atV the extremityV of said extension C, the spring being also provided with recess h h at one side, for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. rlhe interior of the extension C, at the rear of anvil c, is provided with a rectangular groove, d, in which the tape travels.

rlhe said spring may be secured within the tubular extension C in any convenient manner, but preferably by` means of longitudinal recesses on opposite sides of said extension at its base, into which the edges of the lower end of said springs are forced and held.

To the rear of said spring H, near its lower end, is secured the lower end of an additional spring, I, the upper end of which terminates directly behind the upper end of the spring H, for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

The letter K represents a tumbler, located within the extension C, and provided with projecting pins on opposite sides at its lower end, which ride in the slots in said extension U, and are pivoted in the tubular section F, which rides on the extension G. Said tum'- bler K lies infront of the spring H, and is provided with a right-angled or L-shaped projection, k, at its rear, near the lower end, Vwhich projects through the lower recess in the spring H, the bent arm setting to the rear of said spring when the parts are in their normal position.

The letter L represents a wire, chain, or cord, fastened at one end to the shoulder of the section F, and extending down through one of the longitudinal chambers in the tube A, the other end being secured to a thumblever, M, passing through said tube. and pivoted to a standard, N, near the handle, in such position as to be under the control of the thumb or linger of the operator.

The letter O represents the magazine in which the primer is contained, consisting of a flat cylindrical casing with a removable cover. Said casing is attached to the tube A on the side of the bend to which the handle is attached, in order that the magazine may be out of the way of the globe or shade when using the instrument, and to prevent its becoming heated by the dame of the gas, which might possibly ignite its contents. The primer is in the form of a tape, provided with percussionpellets at suitablel intervals, similar to the ordinary percussion-primers, the tape being in the form of a coil, one end of which is extended up through the tube A, and out between the anvil on the extension C, the end of the tumblerK, andthe hammer on the end of the spring H. j

The letter P' represents a removable cylindrical casing, secured over the extension C and the section F, to protect the working parts thereof, and the lower end of said casing is provided with a bell, R, to collect the gas as it escapes from the burner, and hold it until ignited by the explosion of one of the pellets.

In order to provide for the insertion of the tape or primer when required, I provide each tape or primer at the ends with some means by which it can be fastened in the magazine so that the last portion thereof cannot be withdrawn from the magazine during the operation of the instrument.

The instruments are put up ready for use with a tape or primer properly inserted, and by means of the fastening device at the end thereof, the latter portion is retained in the magazine until a new tape can be attached, thus obviating all difficulty in replacing the primers or tapes.

Any convenient fastening device may be employed for this purpose; but I prefer simply to tip the ends of the tape with mucilage, so that when inserted it can be looped and fastened around a pin at the center of the magazine, and, when required, another can be readily attachedto the nearly-exhausted The operation of my invention is as follows: The cock of the burner being properly set by means of the key S on the instrument for the purpose, the bell is placed over the burner, and the lever'M is depressed by the thumb of the operator. This operation causes the section E to be drawn backward upon the tu.-

bular, extension C, compressing the spiral spring E.

The tubular sectionY carries with it the tumbler K, the annular projection thereon traveling down the rear side of the bent end of the spring H, lifting the end of the tumbler away -fromthe tape or primer as said tumbler is being drawn backward. When the projection k arrives opposite the lower recess h in the spring H, it will be forced forward through said opening by means of the spring l to the front of the spring H, just below the bent portion thereof.

Upon releasing the thumb-lever M the spring F will operate to throw the parts into their normal positions, during which the projection k, acting against the bent portion of the spring H, will force it back away from the anvil; and the end of the tumbler, bearing against'the tape or primer, will feed it forward until the projection la on the tumbler arrives opposite the upper recess h of the spring, when the spring H will be set free, and the anvil at the end thereof allowed to fall against thev pellet of percussion, striking it against the anvil, igniting it, and lighting the gas.v

What I claim, and desire to secure by Lety ters Patent, is-

1. A gas-torch provided with mechanism operated automatically to withdraw the tape or primer from thel magazine, and feed and ignite the same by the reaction of a spring operated by means of a cord, Wire, or chain extending down the interior of the tube of the torch to an operating-lever, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A gas-torch having the magazine located upon the same side of the bend as the handle thereof, whereby all injury to the globe or shade is avoided in the useof the instrument, and all danger of the magazine becoming heated and the contents ignited is obviated, substantially asset forth.

3. The combination, in a gas-torch, of the tubular extension C and tubular section E, riding thereon and operated by means of a spring, and a chain, cord, or wire extending to a lever near the handle, with the springs H and I and tumbler K, whereby the tape' or pri-mer is withdrawn 'from the magazine and fed lforward and ignited, substantially as set 'ort 4. In combination with the tube Athe lon"- gitudinal partition therein dividing the same into two compartments for the passage of the operating-wire and the tape or primer, and forming a dat guide for the l-atter, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim theforegoing I 'have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

W. W. BATOHELDER. Witnesses:

' JAMES L. Nolmrs,

JAMES A. RUTHERFORD. 

